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    Cloned Hard Drive not working...

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by johnnyps316, Aug 9, 2014.

  1. johnnyps316

    johnnyps316 Newbie

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    Okay, I asked the forum about whether I could replace my Samsung QX411L 1tb Seagate Sata II 5400rpm laptop hard drive with a 1tb 7200 Sata III HGST Travelstar. I was told I could, so I partition and formatted it in Windows 7. I used EaseUS ToDo Backup Free 6.5 and performed a Disk Clone and after a few hours everything was replicated. So I then turned off the laptop and replaced the original drive. As I booted it up, I pass the bios but I get no Windows 7 Startup screen. All it does is blink the screen on and off continuously. I can't even get into Safemode or anything. Just a blinking screen. Can anybody help me? Thanks!
     
    johnnyps316, Aug 9, 2014
    #1
  2. tijo

    tijo Sacred Blame

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    Sounds like your clone didn't go exactly as planned or you didn't select the right cloning option. Did you just clone the Windows partition or the entire drive?
     
    tijo, Aug 10, 2014
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  3. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    I wonder whether the disk signature in the Windows boot file isn't the same as the signature on the disk. If this happens then the Windows boot loader will be feeling confused as explained here. Some cloning programs offer the option to clone the disk signature.

    You can also read more about disk signatures here.

    John
     
    John Ratsey, Aug 10, 2014
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  4. johnnyps316

    johnnyps316 Newbie

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    I cloned the entire drive.
     
    johnnyps316, Aug 10, 2014
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  5. kent1146

    kent1146 Notebook Prophet

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    This happens all the time to me. Boot information was not stored on the same partition as the windows install which you cloned.

    Good news is that its easy to fix. Run Windows 7 Setup from the install disc / USB key, and choose Repair. It will detect missing bootloader, and fix it for you.
     
    kent1146, Aug 10, 2014
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  6. johnnyps316

    johnnyps316 Newbie

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    Thanks for the helpful information! But I bought the laptop used and it didn't have a Windows 7 disc. Is there any other way to repair it?

     
    johnnyps316, Aug 11, 2014
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  7. kent1146

    kent1146 Notebook Prophet

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    You need to find a Windows 7 setup disc. Just about any one, from anywhere will work.

    Have you tried to ask the manufacturer of your laptop for setup / recovery discs?
     
    kent1146, Aug 11, 2014
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  8. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    See this thread regarding downloading Windows 7.

    John
     
    John Ratsey, Aug 11, 2014
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